Doubles

[Carl Au 262]

I like double star observation. The double double is still one of my favourite targets.

[John 35,382]

2 minutes ago, Carl Au said:

Tis the double star bible. 

Yes, it is well regarded and comprehensive but I think I prefer the presentation of double stars in Instellarium where you get an immediate indication of the aperture that might be needed without having to go to another section.

I'll dig the Cambridge Atlas out and give it another chance though, next time it's clear.

 

[Carl Au 262]

1 minute ago, John said:

Yes, it is well regarded and comprehensive but I think I prefer the presentation of double stars in Instellarium where you get an immediate indication of the aperture that might be needed without having to go to another section.

I'll dig the Cambridge Atlas out and give it another chance though, next time it's clear.

 

That is a very fair point as it goes. It is a very nice thing to browse through before you head out with your shopping list of targets. 

[John 35,382]

13 minutes ago, Carl Au said:

That is a very fair point as it goes. It is a very nice thing to browse through before you head out with your shopping list of targets. 

I tend to make things up as I go along .....

 

[Spile 422]

I've looked through lots of internet binary links and lists.

The best one for me was the one from the Coldfield Observatory (200 most beautiful double stars) as it has great descriptions, colours and star ratings - http://users.compaqnet.be/doublestars

The one that fulfilled my needs in terms of being comprehensive and in a editible (ie CSV/Excel) format was the Saguaro Astronomy Club Double Star Database Version 4.0 - https://www.saguaroastro.org/sac-downloads

I've now merged the Top 200 list into the Saguaro sheet, so I can now easily find and filter ***** targets but if I come across something not on the list I can find out what is is and record it.

I have also changed the RA from HH MM.M to HH:MM:SS so that I can import the lot into SkEye for locating them in push-to mode.

[wibblefish 269]

14 hours ago, John said:

Yes, it is well regarded and comprehensive but I think I prefer the presentation of double stars in Instellarium where you get an immediate indication of the aperture that might be needed without having to go to another section.

I'll dig the Cambridge Atlas out and give it another chance though, next time it's clear.

 

Is that the interstellarium deep sky atlas? Any good?  I have been looking for something star charty and have been looking at various ones. Ive not used one before but Id like to have something I can use to plan and at the scope to supplement my phone app. 

Edited January 28 by wibblefish

[bish 1,063]

15 hours ago, John said:

 

I'll dig the Cambridge Atlas out and give it another chance though, next time it's clear.

 

I vowed to do that recently after another post about doubles. It's been cloudy ever since!

[John 35,382]

1 hour ago, wibblefish said:

Is that the interstellarium deep sky atlas? Any good?  I have been looking for something star charty and have been looking at various ones. Ive not used one before but Id like to have something I can use to plan and at the scope to supplement my phone app. 

Yes. It is quite an expensive atlas but very good.

 

[lunator 263]

The 1st edition of the CDSA  is more about the 'nice to look at' pairs. The main issue is some of the data is out of date and I have found a few typos. 

The second edition has improved data but there is more of a focus on physical pairs and less on the showpiece pairs. 

Cheers

Ian

[chiltonstar 3,206]

20 minutes ago, John said:

Yes. It is quite an expensive atlas but very good.

 

The Cambridge atlas is good & I love the charts which work well in conjunction with SkySafari.

Chris

[John 35,382]

40 minutes ago, chiltonstar said:

The Cambridge atlas is good & I love the charts which work well in conjunction with SkySafari.

Chris

I don't use Sky Safari but I will have to give the Cambridge Atlas another chance.

I do have Sky Safari Pro but I don't use a mobile device out with me when I'm observing.

 

[chiltonstar 3,206]

1 minute ago, John said:

I don't use Sky Safari but I will have to give the Cambridge Atlas another chance.

I do have Sky Safari Pro but I don't use a mobile device out with me when I'm observing.

 

I have a large tablet with SS6 Pro on it - I use it inside a darkened electronic component bag to cut the brightness further.

Chris

[Paz 2,383]

The cambridge double star atlas is great. To get the most out of it I make use of the data tables at the back to pick out systems that will suit. 

The tables also provide some information on stellar class that helps you to tune into colours (try guessing stellar classes first then checking them afterwards!).

One thing I would like to see added to it is on the actual map some representation of PA and separation like Interstellarium for those occasions when you don't want to go into the appendices. It would clutter the map potentially but it is a double star atlas.

[Zermelo 423]

On 27/01/2021 at 22:09, Carl Au said:

Actually it's not as bad as I thought, 36 quid.

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/the-cambridge-double-star-atlas-2nd-edition.html

 

or even £33   ...   https://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/the-cambridge-double-star-atlas-2nd-edition.html

[Orange Smartie 160]

I did manage to get out for a very short session last night after a week of heavy cloud in my area.

With the bright moon, actually finding the guide stars to orientate me was a challenge - I couldn't even find Pegasus with confidence, even though I knew more or less where it should be!  Added to that, a sharp wind shaking the telescope around made viewing less than ideal.

For this reason I chose to stick to the most obvious things I could easily find, but I was delighted to take a long hard look at beta monocerotis - beautiful!  My wife even braved the cold to take a look with me at Sigma Ori (another new favourite).

I'm forecast clear skies for next Saturday, when hopefully I can work through some of the other new doubles suggested in this thread. 

Pete

 

[Orange Smartie 160]

Before anyone points this out, Pegasus (or at least some of the square) was no longer in the sky!  Must use planisphere next time!

[Spile 422]

I made the mistake of targeting Lamda Orionis before realising it was part of a very busy part of the constellation. Not so much seeing the wood for the trees as tree from the woods.

A lot of turbulence last night which didn’t help but thankfully 118 Tauri came to the rescue.

***dy cold though.

[John 35,382]

On 30/01/2021 at 09:23, Paz said:

.....One thing I would like to see added to it is on the actual map some representation of PA and separation like Interstellarium for those occasions when you don't want to go into the appendices. It would clutter the map potentially but it is a double star atlas.

Yes, exactly that.

[Spile 422]

19 hours ago, John said:

Yes, exactly that.

I am thinking that should be possible using an Excel chart

Hmmmmm.....